So the other day when I was doing some laundry, I came across a show on Netflix called Sweet Magnolias. Being from Mississippi, this show is the perfect reflection of small-town Southern life with a taste of Hallmark movie cheer.
Without spoiling the first season, one of my favorite parts of the show is when Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen – the three main leading ladies and lifelong best friends – meet up and have a margarita night! These women with successful careers and children spill their deepest and darkest secrets over a simple margarita.
The margarita was a symbol of cherished friendship and unwinding after a long week.
So mommas – myself and a few other moms have put together a list of some must-have mommy cocktails for you to either make at home with your best friends or order if you are out and about downtown for a girl’s night! Don’t worry though, I did not forget about pregnant mommas!
Pregnancy-Friendly Mommy Cocktails
Shirley Temples
Ingredients:
-Ice
-1 can of Sprite {or 7-Up}
-Grenadine Syrup
-Maraschino Cherries
Instructions:
Fill a glass 3/4 full of ice. Pour Sprite (or 7-Up) until the glass is almost full. Add a splash of Grenadine Syrup. Stir and garnish with a cherry on top.
Ginger Ale and Cranberry Juice
Ingredients:
-4 cups of cranberry juice
-3 cups of ginger ale
-frozen cranberries (instead of ice)
Instructions:
In a large pitcher, mix cranberry juice and ginger ale. Add frozen cranberries and enjoy! *This is a fan favorite for weddings. For after delivery, you can add a cup of vodka to this simple punch!
Frozen Virgin Margaritas
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup lime juice
-1/2 cup lemon juice
-1/4 cup of sugar
-Ice
-OPTIONAL: Lime slices for garnish
Instructions:
Blend the lime juice, lemon juice, sugar, and 4 cups of ice in a blender. Blend until the mixture is nice and slushy. Garnish with lime slices.
Non Alcoholic “Champagne”
Ingredients:
-2/3 cup sugar
-2/3 cup water
-1 cup grapefruit juice
-1/2 cup orange juice
-3 tablespoons grenadine syrup
-2 1/2 cans of ginger ale
Instructions:
Combine water and sugar in a pan and dissolve sugar over low heat. Stir and bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Cool the mixture before adding grapefruit and orange juices. Chill mixture. Add grenadine and ginger ale right before serving.
White Sangria
Ingredients:
-4 cups white grape juice
-1 cup pink grapefruit juice
-1 tablespoon lime juice
-1 bottle club soda
-OPTIONAL: Pink grapefruit slices
Instructions:
Combine white grape juice, pink grapefruit juice, and lime juice in a pitcher. Let sit in a refrigerator. Add club soda right and grapefruit slices before serving.
Post-Kiddie-Bedtime Mommy Cocktails
Olive Garden’s Watermelon Moscato Sangria
Ingredients:
-1 bottle of Moscato Wine {Olive Garden uses Castello del Poggio Moscato, but any Moscato will do!}
-6 ounces of Ginger Ale
-6 ounces of Monin Watermelon Syrup
-3/4 cup of Fresh cut fruit: Watermelon, Strawberries, and Orange Slices
-4 cups of ice
Instructions:
Wash and cut watermelon and strawberries into small chunks, as well as the orange into slices. Pour Moscato into a large pitcher along with Ginger Ale and Watermelon Syrup. Stir gently. Add ice to the pitcher and stir gently. Add cut strawberries, watermelon, and orange slices and enjoy!
Blackberry, Cucumber, and Mint Gin Cooler
Ingredients:
-1/4 Cup Blackberries, about 6
-5-6 Teaspoons Cucumber Mint Simple Syrup
-1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
-2 ounces Gin
-Ice
-3 ounces Soda Water
Instructions:
Mix blackberries and lemon juice in a cup and slightly crush berries. Add about 5 teaspoons of simple syrup (or an extra 1-2 teaspoons for a sweeter drink). Mix in gin and add ice. Top off the glass with 3 oz of soda water and gently mix. Optional: Garnish with a berry and mint!
Cherry Wine and/or Cherry Sangria
If you have not been to Cherry Republic yet, I would definitely recommend going {especially if you love Michigan cherries}! My personal favorites from Cherry Republic are the Cherry Sangria and Sunset Blush. These are good if you want to enjoy a red wine that isn’t too heavy with steaks.
Tito’s Red, White, and Boozy Cocktail
Ingredients:
-1 1/2 ounces Tito’s Handmade Vodka
-3 ounces sparkling water
-2 ounces cranberry juice
-Ice
-Blueberries to garnish
Instructions:
Fill a glass with ice and add vodka with cranberry juice. Slowly pour sparkling water and stir. Garnish with blueberries and enjoy!
Mimosa
Ingredients:
-3/4 cup champagne
-1/4 orange juice
Instructions: Mix orange juice and champagne in a glass and stir before enjoying this classic brunch drink!
